Pickett impresses with huge opener

Charlotte (N.C.) Ardrey Kell athlete Justus Pickett has put recruiting on the backburner as the season has started up. The 5-foot-11, 183-pounder tore it up in the season opener on the ground on Friday.

"I had 21 carries for 256-yards and three touchdowns. I had four receptions for 50-yards too," he said. "I think I had a really good game. I guess all that hard work over the summer made a difference. It definitely paid off in the weight room and I'm faster also.

"This team is definitely impressing me. We're a lot stronger and quicker, we're one of the teams to watch in North Carolina."

On the recruiting front, the three-star prospect is holding strong with his offers.

"Right now I'm trying to narrow it down to where I want to take my official visits," he said. "I know there are a few I'm looking at, West Virginia, Auburn, South Carolina, Georgia and Stanford, but I'm trying to get a bit more specific.

"I probably have a list of about 15 schools I'm down to and I want to get it to seven."

Pickett maintains no favorites from the group at this time.

"I don't really have a frontrunner," he said. "I'm just looking at team schedules to see which teams I want to make it to and attend."